Call for abstracts now open: ENVIRO'17 Convention

The Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) and the Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE), are co-hosting the ENVIRO'17 Convention from the 23-24 August 2017 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

ENVIRO'17 is set to challenge thinking around what is waste in Australia, how we reduce its generation and how we see it as the resource it is.

The current linear 'make-take-waste' approach is no longer viable. Australian companies are facing the increasing challenges of managing resources, developing infrastructure and expanding and managing supply chains that are sustainable, whilst monitoring costs and responding to regulation.

ENVIRO'17 will provide an opportunity to not only hear about the principles of the Circular Economy, but learn from successful local and international early adaptors as well as view innovation and technologies.

Australian-first CQA of geosynthetic liners workshop

This one-day workshop will focus on the Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) of geosynthetic liners, which play an important role in a landfill's performance. A CQA plan consists of several components, and the interaction and contribution of each to the successful provision of effective CQA.

The workshop will assess the current process, issues and the important parameters to be considered for an effective CQA plan - from project conception through to project construction and completion. It will cover owners' and regulators' involvement and accountability, design and specifications, materials and equipment, vendor selection, installation, third party quality assurance, field work and CQA testing.

The presentations by well-known international and local speakers, along with discussion sessions, will present the best global and local experience along with the most recent findings and best practice for a successful CQA.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is currently coordinating an amendment to Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009, and specifically Regulation 26(3)(b), which relates to the interstate movement of Prescribed Industrial Waste (PIW) generated in Victoria.

With the amendment expiring on 19 July 2017, DELWP is now developing a permanent amendment, and is seeking feedback from WMAA VIC members on the potential implications of the change. WMAA’s Victorian Hazardous Waste Working Group Chair, Garrett Hall of Golder Associates, is co-ordinating feedback on the amendment on behalf of the WMAA VIC membership.

The operational details underpinning the NSW Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) have been finalised with the official publication of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulation 2017.

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Updates

Get the latest updates:

Updates to the general immobilisation approval for 'Granular activated carbon waste'

Notice of Extended Exemption: WasteLocate (Asbestos)

New fact sheet on rapidly decomposed or dehydrated food waste available

State of the Environment 2016 Report now available

The State of the Environment 2016 Report was tabled in parliament on 7 March 2017 and is now available for download through the SoE Environment website.

The report contains a section detailing waste generation in Australia between 2006–07 and 2010–11, citing data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE).

When is waste a waste?

On 20 February 2017 an important court decision was made that may have significant implications for the waste and resource recovery industry in South Australia.

In the Matter of EPA v Adelaide Resource Recovery (ARR), the argument was centred around when a waste should be classified as a waste and treated as such, and when it should be considered a resource.

The SA WMAA Branch is holding an industry breakfast seminar on 5 April 2017, with Mr Tony Circelli, Chief Executive SA EPA, and Fraser Bell, Partner at Thomson Geer, discussing the policy implications for the waste and resource recovery sector, and the relationship to the EPA's waste reform agenda.

To register for the event, click below.

Round Two: Resource Productivity Assessment Program (SA)

Resource Productivity Assessments will identify opportunities for improving the way trade waste, energy, materials and water are managed, and will recommend areas for improvement to enhance business productivity and performance, and reduce operating costs.

A subsidy of up to 50%, to a maximum of $10,000 (GST exclusive) will be available to successful applicants as a contribution to help cover the assessment cost. Successful applicants will be expected to fund a minimum 50% of assessment costs. Funds will be made available via application within specified funding rounds and allocated through a Grant Agreement which will establish payment terms and conditions.

Bioproducts: Recent advances and future challenges – FREE EVENT (VIC)

MEMBER ONLY CONTENT

The advent of the bio-economy offers new and exciting opportunities in the areas of energy, chemicals, materials and food to companies or regions willing to make the transition. Success, however, will require an innovation ethos, a multidisciplinary approach and strong scientific and technological competences.

In his presentation, Dr John Kettle, VP Sales and Business Development for VTT, will discuss recent advances in bio-products manufacturing. The talk will reinforce the concept of bio-economy transformation which, if embraced, can lead the region to a brighter and more sustained future.

OTHER NEWS: Study launched - Australian first energy recovery project

In late February, EnergyAustralia announced a study to assess the viability of converting part of its coal-fired power station at Lithgow in New South Wales to run on non-recyclable household materials, commonly referred to as “refuse-derived fuel” or RDF.

The RDF energy recovery project is a joint initiative of EnergyAustralia and recovery and recycling management company Re.Group. The potential development involves installing a purpose-built boiler at the Mt Piper power station fuelled by every-day materials, such as discarded plastics, linen and non-recyclable paper, that would otherwise go to landfill.

OTHER NEWS: Nanoparticles could be the future of agriculture

South Australian researchers are working on a number of novel uses for engineered nanoparticles including efficient fertilisers, agricultural ‘amendments’ and a unique way to clean-up contaminated land.

Engineered nanoparticles are currently used in a range of industrial materials, such as ceramics and advanced polymers, and are also commonly used in the production of household materials, personal care products and clothing.

These particles are considered a pollutant risk if they are able to accumulate in the environment.

OTHER NEWS: Australian e-waste ending up in toxic African dump

A computer monitor from St George Bank, destined for recycling in Australia, has been found on a toxic e-waste dump in West Africa, being pulled apart by children as young as five.

Broken or redundant computers are considered hazardous waste and are illegal to ship out of Australia - so the discovery of the bank monitor raises serious questions about the integrity and regulation of Australia's growing e-waste problem.

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